あぐら
あぐら
noun
sitting cross-legged
1.
sitting cross-legged; cross-legged position
A sitting position with legs crossed in front of the body, typically on the floor. This is a casual sitting posture in Japanese culture.
あぐらをかく。
I sit cross-legged.
畳の上であぐらをかいて座った。
I sat cross-legged on the tatami.
正座がつらくなったので、あぐらに変えてもいいですか。
Sitting in seiza has become painful — may I switch to sitting cross-legged?
あぐら (also written 胡座 or 胡坐 in kanji, though kana is more common) is a casual sitting posture where both legs are crossed in front of the body. In Japanese culture, this is considered an informal way to sit and is generally acceptable for men in casual settings but has traditionally been considered less appropriate for women, though this norm is relaxing.
USAGE:
The standard expression is あぐらをかく (to sit cross-legged). The verb かく is specific to this expression.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- あぐらをかく: to sit cross-legged
- あぐらで座る: to sit in a cross-legged position
- あぐらをかいて食べる: eat while sitting cross-legged
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 正座: seiza — the formal sitting position with legs folded underneath
- 体育座り: gym class sitting — sitting with knees drawn up and arms around them
IDIOM:
あぐらをかく can also mean "to rest on one's laurels" or "to be complacent," used figuratively to describe someone who takes a comfortable position without making effort: 成功にあぐらをかく (to rest on the laurels of one's success).